2012 WinStar River Poker Series

Main Event
Day: 1a
Event Info

2012 WinStar River Poker Series

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
a10
Prize
$651,559
Event Info
Buy-in
$2,100
Prize Pool
$2,788,000
Entries
1,396
Level Info
Level
34
Blinds
100,000 / 200,000
Ante
20,000

Fossilman Is King

With 1,700 in the pot going to the flop, 2004 World Series of Poker Main Event champion Greg Raymer and an opponent saw the dealer spread out {3-Hearts}{5-Clubs}{8-Diamonds}.

Raymer's lone opponent bet 1,250 and Raymer called from the button. The turn brought the {J-Clubs} and both players checked their option. The board completed with the {2-Spades} and Raymer's opponent once again opted to move 1,250 into the middle. Raymer reached into his stack and decided to make it 4,000 total. Raymer's opponent quickly called.

"Kings," said Raymer, tabling {K-Hearts}{K-Clubs}.

Raymer's opponent let out a sigh and showed {Q-Hearts}{Q-Diamonds} for the next lowest pocket pair. Raymer was able to scoop up the pot and significantly increase his stack to around 25,000.

Player Chips Progress
Greg Raymer us
Greg Raymer
25,000
10,000
10,000
WSOP Main Event Champion
WSOP 1X Winner

Tags: Greg Raymer

Dolan and Lee Clash

With an under-the-gun limp and a Richard Lee call before him, John Dolan raised to 450 from middle position. Action folded back around to the limpers and they both came along to see a {K-Diamonds}{J-Diamonds}{J-Spades} flop.

Action was checked to Dolan and he bet 700, chasing away the UTG limper. Lee, though, popped it to 1,625. Dolan called to see the {4-Hearts} turn and proceeded to call Lee's bet of 2,100. The {10-Spades} hit the river and Lee bet 5,000. Dolan took about 20 seconds before raising to about 14,000, covering Lee's remaining chips. After about 60 seconds in the tank, Lee tossed his hand to the muck.

Player Chips Progress
John Dolan us
John Dolan
28,500
13,500
13,500
Richard Lee us
Richard Lee
7,000
-8,000
-8,000

Tags: John DolanRichard Lee

Level: 3

Blinds: 75/150

Ante: 0

West Chips Up

We found Tim West and an opponent looking down at a completed board of {8-Clubs}{7-Diamonds}{2-Spades}{K-Diamonds}{3-Hearts}.

West's opponent sat for a moment before checking his option. West quickly checked behind and his opponent showed {10-Diamonds}{9-Clubs} for a busted straight draw. West showed {Q-Spades}{Q-Diamonds} and his pocket pair was able to take down the pot, bringing his stack up to 19,000.

Player Chips Progress
Tim West us
Tim West
19,000
4,000
4,000

Tags: Tim West

One For O'Donnell

Picking up the action on an {A-Clubs}{J-Hearts}{2-Hearts} flop, Kevin O'Donnell bet 1,025. One opponent called, another folded, and the {5-Spades} fell on the turn. O'Donnell bet 2,625, but was faced with a decision for a good portion of his remaining stack when his opponent raised to 7,250. O'Donnell called, thinking that it was for his tournament life.

As O'Donnell was about to table his hand, the dealer apprised him that he had some chips behind, leading O'Donnell to move all in in the dark for about 1,500. The {9-Clubs} hit the river and O'Donnell's opponent shook his head.

"Was just making a move," he said. "Was hoping to get you to fold." O'Donnell's opponent flashed {J-Clubs}{10-Clubs} to the table and proceeded to fold.

Player Chips Progress
Kevin O'Donnell us
Kevin O'Donnell
19,000

Tags: Kevin O'Donnell

Dolan Runs Into Two Pair

On the flop reading {5-Diamonds}{7-Diamonds}{J-Spades}, John Dolan's opponent bet 500 and Dolan called. The {2-Spades} came on fourth street and once again Dolan's opponent bet. This time the magic number was 1,000 and Dolan called once again.

The {3-Spades} completed the board and both players checked. Dolan looked at the {5-Spades}{2-Hearts} of his opponent for two pair and gave a small chuckle.

"That works," said Dolan as he tossed away his hand.

Even though Dolan lost this pot, he is still sitting on quite the sizable stack with 29,000 in chips.

Player Chips Progress
John Dolan us
John Dolan
29,000
-2,000
-2,000

Tags: John Dolan

"Choctaw" Chipping Up

Justin "Choctaw" Kruger is off to a solid start in the early going on Day 1a and is up to about 27,000 after busting an opponent.

As told to us by Kruger, with a raise to 400 and call before him, he three-bet to 1,100 in position with {J-}{J-}. The original raiser folded, the flatter called, and the flop came down {Q-Spades}{Q-}{J-Spades}. Kruger's opponent led out 2,100, Kruger clicked it back to 4,500, and his opponent called to see the {8-Spades} turn where he fired 6,000. Kruger went all in for a just a little bit more and his opponent called with {3-}{3-}, drawing dead.

The river was an inconsequential {Q-}, securing the double up for Kruger.

Player Chips Progress
Justin "Choctaw" Kruger
Justin "Choctaw" Kruger
27,000
12,000
12,000

Tags: Justin Kruger